debt settlement programs. Are they worth it?

I hit got most 15,000 in debt with credit cards. Last Aug we had to record hard times with a companies as well as found this was not removing a cards down oftenness any. So this year we filed with a debt settlement. we embrace calls from a companies upon a every day level since we no longer equilibrate a association though instead a debt allocation people. Was this a right thing to do. we feel improved though infrequently we do get scared. Please give me advise.